



Virtual brands venture into physical marketplace
Implications - Only a decade ago, retailers felt the pressure of taking their offline businesses online, but now, the opposite is happening. Already having established their presence in the web marketplace, major online brands, including Google, Amazon and eBay, are now creating brick-and-mortar outlets, which allow them to effectively demonstrate and showcase their goods and services directly to customers who may not be reached online. Although a virtual side to any business is imperative in this day and age, for brands that have always been web-based, perhaps it is time to venture outside of this comfort zone to reach a wider audience.